Page 6 of Flirty Pucking Wolf

“Have you and Carter started practicing yet?” Teagan asks.

Mallory’s grin turns mischievous. “Please make him wear sequins and feathers. And he’s a huge fan of the song ‘Copacabana.’ Loves it.” She’s not only engaged to the Devil Birds’ coach, she’s Trevor’s sister, and she’s clearly hoping to use me to torment him.

I love torturing my brothers, too, and I return her grin. “Pink? Or purple?”

She tilts her head and taps her lips with a forefinger in consideration. Her engagement ring sparkles in the lights of the arena. “Hmm…I’m not evil. How about turquoise? Blue is his favorite color.”

I didn’t know that. Now I do. And for some reason, I like knowing.

I turn back to Teagan. “I told him what our first dance is and the music. We started with some of the basic steps today.”

“Oh.” Mallory glances down at the ice. Both teams are back, and the next period is about to start. “Well, he’s always been stubborn, so if he wants to do this, there will be no stopping him.”

As the second period opens, Trevor is laser-focused on the spot where the ref will drop the puck between him and the opposing player in the face-off circle. With lightning-fast reflexes, he takes control of the puck the moment it touches the ice surface and flicks it back to his teammates. They advance like a battalion on the battlefield as they approach the opposing goal. It’s like a game of keep-away, and following the location of the puck is tricky. Daphne’s tip is to follow the people more than the puck specifically. It helps. Of course, my eyes are fixed on Trevor whenever he’s on the ice. I can’t look away. He’s usually the one with the puck anyway. This period, it’s like Trevor and his winger are sharing a brain. The winger is in the right spot time and again to receive Trevor’s passes. He’s able to direct the puck back to Trevor so he can put it in the net. Trevor does this move Daphne tells me is called a “one-timer” where he plants himself on the ice, takes a full backswing, and propels the puck to the net like it was shot from a cannon.

Even in full uniform, you can see the tension of his muscles and the power of his movements. Trevor is so focused I don’t think he’s aware of the crowd shouting his name or even of the other team. If I was ever the subject of his focus like that, I think I’d erupt in flames. Even our spur-of-the-moment New Year’s kiss, where I had a fraction of his attention, is something I can’t forget. I know I shouldn’t have kissed him at all because I knew we’d be working together as dance partners and it would be a possible complication, but I couldn’t resist. There are more handsome men out there, some I’ve even been with. But none of them have the magnetism Trevor does. Maybe it’s because he’s a wolf shifter, and my wolf is reacting to him on a primal level. Maybe it’s all just biology. Or maybe there’s something more. Doesn’t matter. There can’t be anything outside of a professional partnership between us. I want that trophy. That’s all that matters.

Trevor’s got all his attention on the opposing goal, and when he shoots the puck past the goalie, it takes him a beat to react to his teammates hugging him. But his focus doesn’t seem to be on them. He’s looking up in the stands. At me. I’m with the thousands of other fans standing and cheering, but his gaze zeros in on me like a heat-seeking missile. I can’t look away.

It’s not always the best dancer that wins shows likeCelebrity Dance Dare. Sometimes it’s the contestant who rallies the audience behind them and does the best job entertaining. The judges are paying attention to the steps, but the audience is all about the feelings. I’m betting he’s going to be great at stirring feelings. He’s stirring some in me.

The Devil Birds beat the Sasquatch thanks to Trevor’s goals. Tomorrow, we leave for the All-Star Game in Florida. The Devil Birds players and their families will travel on their private plane and I’m included in the entourage. I’m hoping it will give me a chance to talk to Miranda and clear the air. I miss my best friend. I missbeinga best friend. I go back across the Boardwalk to the hotel with my parents and hug them outside of my room. They’re flying back home tomorrow. They could’ve gone to Florida to be with me, but I guess that didn’t occur to them.

They came here for Miranda. She’s doing better now and going to the All-Star Game with the team, so there’s no reason for them to stay, especially since Dec won’t be playing. It must be so hard to watch your teammates compete and succeed without you. I know I’d hate to be sidelined by an injury, especially if it’s my own stupidity that caused it. It’s ridiculous that he gave up being in the spotlight because of a broken heart. No way am I ever letting love get in the way of my goals. I’m not stupid enough to let love ruin my chances at success and keep me out of the spotlight.

* * *

I ride to the airport with some of the player families and other VIPs that are flying down to Florida on the team plane. The players and staff, including Miranda, will meet us at the airport since they’re coming from their homes.

As I climb the steps onto the plane, I spot Miranda toward the back. There’s an empty seat next to her, and she’s chatting with a flight attendant.

“Okay if I sit here?” I ask, resting my hand on the back of the empty seat.

She gives me a soft smile. “Yeah, that would be great.”

I whoosh out a breath, hoping it expels the flock of butterflies fluttering in my tummy, and flash a smile at the flight attendant, who steps away to make room for me. I take the seat, stashing my bag under Carter’s seat in front of me.

“Good afternoon, miss. I’m Stella. Would you like something to drink after takeoff?”

“Hi, Stella, I’m Sophie.” I hold out my hand for Stella to shake.

Stella’s smile widens. “Are you Declan’s sister?”

“I am,” I say, arching my eyebrows. “Is it the accent?”

“No, you have the same color eyes.”

“Oh.” I wonder if she has a thing for Declan. Hopefully, she’s not like Doreen and won’t drug Miranda.

“What are you drinking?” I ask Miranda.

“Hot cocoa with whipped cream, but Stella makes wonderful tea.”

The thought of tea makes me shudder.

“I’ll have cocoa too, please, with whipped cream?”

Stella smiles and says she’ll bring our cocoa after we are airborne.

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